dark beauty magazine - issue 43

DARK BEAUTY MAGAZINEDARK BEAUTY MAGAZINE

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ISSUE 43APRIL 2015


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IN THE ISSUE

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AMANDA IQBAL - FRACTURED

ANDREA PEIPE - LITTLE RED

DENNIS OSTERMANN - ANATOMY

ELVIS PIEDRA - SINFUL BEAUTY

JEAN SWEET - PLUCKING BEAUTY

LORI CICCHINI - SHE FELL FROM THE STARS

LORI CICCHINI - FRONTLINER

MICHELLE ENGBERG - LEVITATE

NICO NORDSTRÖM - PRISTINE BEAUTY

SAM KACZUR - WHISPER

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M T

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EDIT

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Cover Credits: Photographer Lori Cicchini

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GENERAL [email protected]

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©Copyright 2015 Dark Beauty Magazine. All Rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without permission in writing from Dark Beauty Magazine. Dark Beauty Magazine makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information it publishes, but is not responsible for unsolicited or contributed manuscripts, photographs, artwork or advertisements. Dark Beauty Magazine is not held responsible for any consequences arising from errors or omissions.

Dearest Dark Beauties,

What does April bring to Dark Beauty, amazing! This issue is so

gorgeous and eye-gasmic. I have watched Dark Beauty grow into this

amazing creature that is feeding itself and showing up in ways beyond

my hopes and expectations. I am so happy with where we have come

and what we are up to.

Each month we spend hours looking at work from around the globe

that we feel will inspire anyone who has the chance to gaze upon it.

This issue will be one of those issues without doubt. I am so excited

that we have created such opportunities for our fans, followers,

readers and contributors to understand the goal of Dark Beauty and

become such an important lifeline to this publication. Online and in

print.

Thank you for celebrating with us, we think you will be proud of this

issue. The world needs more story in it to allow us to have that break

from the hardness of reality at times, and the daily struggle a lot of us

face as artists. This body of work will ignite imaginations without fail.

Editor-and-Chief

Topher Adam


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Project Director, Hair and MU, Fashion Stylist - Amanda IqbalPhotographer and Edits - Slav Zinger

Creative Edits - Topher AdamAssistant to Stylist - Raquel Devience

Clothing Designer - Erykah Ortiz, Zitroe

About the Designer: Eryka Ortiz began her career by sew-ing a Ramones patch to an old hoodie; it was then she knew she was destined to be a fashion designer. In high school she created and retailed a line of embroidered t-shirts. Ortiz then attended The Illinois Institute of Art- Chicago, acquiring a Bachelor in Fine Arts specializing in fashion design. During college she worked and interned with various fashion designers as well as showcasing her own designs in local fashion shows. Ortiz now works as a design freelancer and continues her work under her own Zitroe label; a women’s wear luxe brand that is feminine and whimsy with a creative edge. Ortiz’s designs can be found at www.zitroe.com.

Q&A With Amanda Iqbal

What inspires you for a shoot? Why?

I need texture and emotion to inspire me artistically. The emotion from peoples lives and their stories are the best way to be taken deep into any project. Watching movies based on past legendary artists and visiting local muse-ums allow me to get “light bulb” inspirations. I need the texture of fabrics, metals and wood and visual shapes to pull it together and to help reflect the emotion into a proj-ect. I see in shapes and would be considered both visual and a hands on type of artist. I need to get into it with my hands to get the texture I need to be fulfilled. I am fun like that. Do you plan the entire shoot concept, or have help?

So far I have been the artistic leader of my projects. As the project evolves my team will usually put in their “light bulb” inspiration. I will not stand in the way if their ideas flow with the original concept.

Who do you look up to in the industry? Why?

I have chosen so many different mentors, there is so much available at our fingertips via the web and I con-tinuously search for my inspirations. I like abstract along with historical golden and dark times. That seems to be my theme.

Are you self taught, educate? College, online class-es, tutorials, Self Taught? What steps did you take to learn your craft?

I have always been self taught, I follow the try it first and only read the instructions if necessary. Because I am a visual artist I prefer the hands on approach because it challenges me. I did not like school when I was young and I did not plan out my education like my peers. I was fortunate that my family enrolled me into beauty school while I attended high school. The hair industry allowed my natural artistic instincts to be put to work. I have thirty some years under my belt in the industry.

Who would you like to shoot? Celebrities, model, de-signer? Why?

I would be most happy to have Coco Rocha or Kate Moss in front of my camera! With their natural instincts and un-determined “look” I could create anything.

If you left a time capsule of your work, what would you leave in it? Would it be digital or physical paper? What would it consist?

I would choose the work that I felt really captured my emotional sense of being. Only to be determined after leaving my day to day work grind. Work gets in the way of ones true being even if you are passionate about it. Physical paper for sure, with a digital back up of course!

What caused you to become a photographer/fashion


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photographer/artist/Designer? Why?

I had to get the complete visual of what I could give some-one. I wanted my friends and clients to completely “get” what I had intended for them. The “Big Picture” if you will. It was a natural flow for me, and now I desire to create what I call glamour shots for everyone I meet. I love to show people what they are capable of. I don’t like when people say I hate to be photographed and I am happy when my model sees themselves in the photo and their eyebrows raise and a smile takes over their face, nothing better than that!

How do you manage requests for free or TFP shoots? Why do/don’t you?

For marketing and learning purposes I have been giving limited complimentary shoots. I explain to the model that I need their help with exposure on the social networks they use. I also donate for charity events, a day as a model event. This creates a big stir in the community, great ex-posure. I will try anything once with a limit, but always in hope of future paid shoots from referrals. I am still new to the industry and I am learning skills that some have gone to school for or have years of experience behind them. I believe it is and has to be a mutual understanding when you are offering your talents for any amount of discount. No one wants to be taken advantage of. Always explain verbally and have it written about what responsibility your friend, neighbor, family, or client have when given a dis-count. Explain that they have to help build your client list or there will be no discounts or favors, then stay true to that. Follow up with them and hold them accountable.

What was your favorite shoot? Why?

I really enjoyed seeing my flour throwing shoots come to life! They were featured right here in Dark Beauty it was called “The Grind”. I am not afraid of just going for it, but with that, you never know what you will get as a result. I can’t wait to get my hands dirty in my future shoots!

What does Dark Beauty mean to you? In depth feeling, a mood, or visual? Explain.

Dark Beauty to me is my past life coming forward into my now existent life. I believe we all have been around a few times over and our future is full of people that we have already encountered from our past life experiences. The Darkness comes from the emotional story and the Beauty is our future of hope and fulfillment in our own state of being.

Have you reached your ultimate level in your work? If not, what is your next step? Why?

I cant wait to see what I will come up with, I have a ten-dency to try to hurry to get to the Next Thing…so I must

dark beauty magazine - issue 43

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